Samuel DeCorse Obituary

In Loving Memory Of

Samuel DeCorse

December 1, 1935 – January 24, 2026

Samuel DeCorse, 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, January 24, 2026 to join his family in heaven and be with them for all eternity.  

He was born at Fort Yuma Indian Reservation California to his proud parents, Henry and Theresa DeCorse.  

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Henry (Albert), JoAnne, Peter Norman, George Jennings and Donald Benjamin.

Samuel was a US Army veteran having served in South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division.  He rose to the rank of Staff Sargeant and was honorably discharged.  After the military, Samuel worked with General Dynamics in San Diego, California, starting out as a technical writer, then elevating himself to publication editor with American Machine Foundry Company.  He also worked with the Atlas ICBM and Minute Man missile development programs before relocating his young family to Yuma, Arizona in the mid-1960’s.  While working as Associate Director of his native Quechan tribe’s community action program in Fort Yuma, he was offered a governmental position.

He accepted the position with the U.S. Public Health (Indian Health Servies) where he was appointed by Washington as the first associate director of Equal Employment opportunity in Phoenix, Arizona.  He also served in the capacity of contracts administrator and training officer. He left and accepted a position of contracts administrator with the U.S.D.A in Mexico where he served as Chief of Human Resources, Internal auditor and administrative officer.  He worked with many Central American countries and was called upon often as a negotiator.  It was during this time that he was reassigned and promoted to the U.S. State Department as a Foreign service office.  After 34 years of government service, he and his spouse Silvia retired to Harlingen, Texas. They traveled to Europe visiting Rome, Paris, Madrid, Vienna and Monte Carlo. They ventured into Guatemala, Costa Rica and lived in Mexico for several years.  They also visited Alaska and Hawaii.

As a faithful and practicing Roman Catholic, he volunteered as a religious teacher, working with adults and children.  He also served as a Eucharistic minister and lector, proclaiming the word of God.  Most recently, he volunteered as a Chaplain at Valley Baptist medical center and Harlingen medical center.

Samuel leaves behind his lovely and faithful spouse, Silvia G. DeCorse; siblings Roger DeCorse of the Fort Yuma reservation, sister Yvonne M. Vance of Yuma, Arizona and brother Charles F. DeCorse of Tucson, Arizona.

He is also peacefully and happily survived by his children; Judith DeCorse of West Palm Beach, Florida, Jeanette S. DeCorse of Phoenix, Arizona, sons Nicholas H. DeCorse of Henderson, Nevada and William F. DeCorse of Mesa, Arizona, and stepdaughter Marcela Dominguez Rivera of Harlingen Texas.  Most proudly 15 grandchildren and 6 great- grandchildren.

God has prepared a mansion for our dearly beloved Samuel where he will be reunited with his parents, grandparents, George and Francis DeCorse and Mary and Juan Herrera, and great grandparents, Dr. Albert and Luz DeCorse.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 29, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the prayer of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

A funeral procession will depart from Trinity Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2026 to St. Anthony Catholic Church for a Mass at 10:00 a.m.

With profound love and remembrance, the family of Samuel DeCorse, have entrusted his funeral arrangements to Ellie Rojas-funeral director of Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 East Harrison Ave. Harlingen, Texas 78550. You may contact us at (956)364-2444 or visit us at www.trinityfunerals.com